YHWH Shammah (The LORD is There)
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Introduction
Introduction
We are still working through the compound names associated with God’s name, Jehovah. Last week, we finished our study of His name, Jehovah Tsidkenu.
Can anyone tell me what that name means to us?
He is OUR Righteousness
Now, as you have your charts, you can fill in the next box with this name.
YHWH (Jehovah)-Shammah (The LORD is There!)
For this name, we will turn to one of the major prophets, Ezekiel. So, take your Bibles and turn to Ezekiel 48:35
Ezekiel 48:35 (KJV 1900)
35 It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The Lord is there.
You will note the word “there.” In the Hebrew, that is the word “shammah.” It literal means “there.” Thus, Jehovah is there.
Now, for us to understand this name we must consider the context in which it is given. Ezekiel, God’s prophet, served Jehovah during a unique period in Israel’s history. At the time of his prophecy, all of Israel is suffering God’s judgement. If you recall from our last study, Israel divided into two kingdoms after Solomon’s death. The Northern Kingdom, ten tribes, sinned repeatedly against God. God brought judgment upon them through the Assyrian Empire. Later, the Southern Kingdom, Judah and Benjamin, suffered God’s judgment as well. Their judgment came upon them through the Babylonian Empire. Thus, at the time of Ezekiel’s prophecy, all of Israel is in bondage and not possessing the land of promise. God uses Ezekiel as His messenger to those in captivity.
Ezekiel’s message was twofold.
First, God used Ezekiel to remind the Jews of their sins. They were in captivity due to their continued disobedience.
Second, God also used Ezekiel to encourage them that God has not forgotten them and He would once again bless them. So there were two sides to Ezekiel’s message. There was reminder of their judgment and hope for their future.
As you read Ezekiel’s prophecy, you will find a number of strange visions. There was his vision of a land without inhabitants, a city without citizens, a temple without priests, and a ritual without worshipers. Additionally, God gave Ezekiel a glimpse of God’s glory. In doing so, Ezekiel also recorded the fact that God’s glory had departed the Temple due to Israel’s devotion to idolatry and iniquity. Ezekiel described God’s judgment upon Jerusalem. All of this was the negative part of God’s message.
Yet, God also gave a very encouraging vision of future blessings. For instance, God promised that He would set up a Prince, the second David, who would bring great blessings back to Israel. All of this would happen after God judged God and Magog. From that judgment, God would restore Jerusalem along with the Temple. In fact, our text is part of that promise. Note again Ezekiel 48:35
35 It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The Lord is there.
This is the last verse of the entire prophesy concerning the coming kingdom of Christ. It ends with noting the dimensions of that great city. However, the more important part of this verse is the name of the city. It will be known as the city in which “The LORD (Jehovah) is there.”
It is interesting to note that if you take the chronology of prophesy, one of the last things God does for Israel is restore the nation, the city, and the temple. Thus, it is fitting that the end of all things is the fact that there in that city and temple the LORD is there. God Himself will dwell and sit upon the throne of David in the great millennial city of Jerusalem. In fact, as you think consider Israel’s beginning, who was there? When Israel walked out of Egypt and started their journey to the land of promise, who led the way? Who was there when they set up the tabernacle? Later, who was there when they built the first Temple? God’s desire was always to dwell among His people. One of the interesting things about the future Temple of the millennial kingdom is its construction and design. Ezekiel’s prophecy tells us that there will be no veil, no table of shewbread, no lampstands, and no ark of covenant within the Temple. Why is that? It is in that new temple that Jehovah will dwell. He will be there. Thus, there is no need for any symbols to remind us of His presence or His promises. In that moment, He will be there and all will have been fulfilled.
One of the things that made Israel uniquely different than all the Gentile nations of the Old Testament is the fact that God visibly demonstrated His presence among His people. He did so to show that the gods of the Gentiles were indeed false gods. From the time of Moses, God’s promised Presence was real and felt.
37 And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in his sight with his mighty power out of Egypt;
Now, remember our focus is on God’s name. In this part of our study, we are focusing on his name as Jehovah. He is the God of righteousness and truth. As a righteous God, He cannot tolerate sin. We see in the Old Testament how that God starts out dwelling with His people. Unfortunately, Israel never fully grasped the truth of God’s righteousness. Instead, they continued to look around at other nations and desired the false gods of those nations. Repeatedly they sinned against Jehovah. Eventually, their continued sin resulted in them losing the precious presence of Jehovah. They became as a “city forsaken.”
Some Implications Drawn From His Name, Jehovah Shammah
Here is the first implication.
God’s Presence Exceeds the Boundaries of Earth
God’s Presence Exceeds the Boundaries of Earth
8 Arise, O Lord, into thy rest; Thou, and the ark of thy strength.
13 For the Lord hath chosen Zion; He hath desired it for his habitation.
14 This is my rest for ever: Here will I dwell; for I have desired it.
What is interesting about these verses is we God’s desire to dwell among His people! Note in verse 13, He “desired” it.” However, there is a wider significance or fuller meaning associated with His name, Jehovah-Shammah. Yes, God desires to make His abode among His people, yet Scripture plainly teaches us that God is not limited to just area of existence. He is omnipresent. By omnipresence, we mean that God is everywhere present with His whole being at all times. Even when He is glory was with Israel noting His presence among them, God was abiding in the Heavens at that same moment. In fact, nobody can escape the presence of God.
7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, And thy right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; Even the night shall be light about me.
12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; But the night shineth as the day: The darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
Note that verse 8 indicates that God is unlimited by space - “If I ascend up into heaven, thou are there!”. Verse 9 teaches that God is undaunted by speed - “If I take the wings of wings of morning.” And, then, God is completely unaffected by darkness according to verses 11-12.
When it comes to understanding God’s omnipresence, it does not mean “that God’s being is diffused throughout the universe as if part of Him is here and part of Him there.” [Ryrie, Charles C.. Basic Theology (p. 46). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.] It also does not mean “that the immediacy of His presence does not vary. It does.” [Ryrie, Charles C.. Basic Theology (p. 46). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.] Scripture reveals that God’s level of intervening or mediating in the affairs of men differs according to context. For example, we see His entire presence upon the throne in Revelation 4:2
2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
We see His presence in Solomon’s Temple in 2 Chronicles 7:2
2 And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house.
And, in this age of grace, we see Him indwelling only those who believe in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
However, His working in our lives is much different than His presence in the lake of fire.
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
Those in the lake of fire will be separated from seeing His face, however they will can never be separated from God’s presence since He is omnipresent. It is obvious that those who are eternally condemned to Hell will not enjoy the fellowship of God’s presence. Yes, He is present, but His face is turned from them. Yet, for us as believers, we not only enjoy the fellowship of His presence, but we spend an eternity seeing His face.
Since we are on this topic of God’s omnipresence, let’s explore the difference between that and the false teaching of pantheism. Pantheism states the universe is God, or is the system of theology in which it is maintained that the universe is the supreme God. According Charles Ryrie in his “Basic Theology,” pantheism was a term first used by John Toland in 1705 when he taught that “God is the mind or soul of the universe.”
The first problem with this false teaching is it fails to recognize God as the Creator of the Universe. Secondly, pantheism indicates that God’s presence is diffused throughout or penetrates the universe. Furthermore, pantheist teach that God has not yet penetrated or exhausted the entire universe, but is progressively doing so. Again, this is false teaching. There is no developing of God for He is exists already in His entire being as the God of the Universe. We must be extremely careful not to place our thoughts or opinions as an addendum to God’s Word. He exists and His presence is everywhere. Thus, there is no person who can escape His presence.
27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?
Here is another interesting implication about Jehovah-Shammah, God is there.
God has this unique way of showing up in place we often don’t expect.
God’s Presence is Often Found in Unexpected Places!
God’s Presence is Often Found in Unexpected Places!
It shouldn’t come as a surprise to us because He is there, yet, it does. For example, take Jacob. He was forced to flee from his home because of his treachery towards his father, Isaac, and his brother, Esau. As he is fleeing, he finds himself in a place named Luz. Luz was a wild, inhospitable land comprised of nothing but sand and stone. It was a desolate place. Jacob arrives there exhausted. He lies down using nothing more than a stone as his pillow. While he is sleeping, he has a vision of angels descending between heaven and earth.
11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.
12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
It is during this dream, that God reassures Jacob that His covenant with Abraham and Isaac remains intact with Jacob as well.
13 And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;
When Jacob awakes, he states the following.
16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.
17 And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.
Jacob was astonished to find the LORD (Jehovah) in such a desolate place.
It happened for someone in the New Testament as well. Remember the woman at the well. Like Jacob, she was also fleeing from something. She was fleeing from a life a shame. It is the reason she was at the well at such an odd hour. She was there at noon which was the quietest time of the day. Noon was not the normal or usual time for women to be a the well drawing water. This woman was avoiding the usual times in an effort to avoid the other women who would be there. Yet, on this particular recorded by the Holy Spirit, she arrived thinking no one would be there. Yet, who was sitting there waiting on her. Was it not Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself? It is interesting to note that Christ Himself said that He must needs go through Samaria. Why was it necessary? He needed to be THERE at that well to meet this woman who was need of His presence. It was THERE she found Jehovah-Shammah to whose presence no place is inaccessible and no time is inconvenient.
I have only give you two examples of many recorded in Scripture of those who found Jehovah Shammah in the most unlikely places and under a myriad of circumstances. It is not reassuring to know that God is there! We will come back to that thought in just moment as we consider the application of His name, Jehovah Shammah.
However, for now, consider that there are some who thought they could escape God’s presence. The Psalmist in Psalm 139 pondered that question. Was it possible to ascend into heaven or descend to the bottom of the ocean escaping God’s presence? As we know, the answer was an emphatic, NO!
Jonah was one who thought he could escape God’s presence. He jumped a ship for Tarshish thinking he could our run or escape God. He is the middle of the ocean on his way perhaps thinking he has made it. God sends a great huge storm. Jonah knows the storm was due to his refusal to obey God’s call. He instructs the ship’s captain to throw him overboard. Reluctantly, the captain does as instructed. Low and behold, God has prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. What did Jonah find about God’s presence in the bell of that great fish? He discovered Jehovah-Shammah, God is there! While sitting in the stinking fishy smell of a fish belly Jonah cries out to Jehovah. He is there! God is not limited by any fixed locality. His presence fills the whole of His creation. No matter where we are or where we journey, there is no place God cannot reach.
All the Divine Names and Titles in the Bible (Jehovah-Shammah—The Lord Is There)
The atheist may affirm, God is nowhere! The believer can take the same phrase and by separating the last word declare his faith in Jehovah-Shammah—“God is nowhere.”
We can be ASSURED of Jehovah’s Guiding and Guarding Presence
We can be ASSURED of Jehovah’s Guiding and Guarding Presence
This is a thought that takes on new significance for us even today. You may recall some Christ’s last words to us before He went back to Heaven.
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Here are few more assurances.
We are ASSURED of His Presence as We Journey through this Life
We are ASSURED of His Presence as We Journey through this Life
15 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
We are ASSURED that His Presence Leads Affords Rest
We are ASSURED that His Presence Leads Affords Rest
14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
We are ASSURED that His Presence Provides Courage During Life’s Battles
We are ASSURED that His Presence Provides Courage During Life’s Battles
1 When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the Lord thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: What can man do unto me?
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
We are ASSURED by His Presence that We will Find Comfort in Trials
We are ASSURED by His Presence that We will Find Comfort in Trials
2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; Neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
We are ASSURED that His Presence is There Even When the Numbers are Small
We are ASSURED that His Presence is There Even When the Numbers are Small
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
We are ASSURED of His Presence Throughout Eternity
We are ASSURED of His Presence Throughout Eternity
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Conclusion
Conclusion
